MINI is set to unveil the world's fastest small premium cabriolet - that's quite a niche - with the debut of its new John Cooper Works Convertible at the Geneva motor show.

Featuring the same high-performance modifications as its hatch sibling, the JCW Cabriolet is also powered by a 1.6-litre twin scroll-turbocharged petrol engine.

This little engine produces 157kW of power and 260Nm, with an additional 20Nm available through the overboost function.

Performance is slightly down in the Cabriolet, with zero to 100km/h taking 6.9 seconds which is 0.4 seconds slower than the hatch.

Jürgen Hedrich, MINI Plant Oxford’s new Managing Director, said: “The launch of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is incredibly important as it signifies that our complete model line-up is now back in production across MINI’s UK production facilities.”

Fuel consumption has also slightly increased to 5.9-litres per 100kms, although this is still incredibly frugal for an engine which manages almost 100kW per litre.

Along with the power boost, the JCW Cabriolet features a bespoke Alcantara steering wheel, sport seats, John Cooper Works floor mats and glossy piano black interior.

The speedometer is also unique to the JCW variants, running up to over 250km/h to cater for the car's higher top speed.

A Sport button has been added on the gear stick in true Italian Job style which activates a bespoke engine control map producing boost earlier in the rev range and sharpening steering and throttle response.

The car’s Electronic Differential Lock Control works when the car is accelerating hard out of corners or tight bends where it electronically slows the spinning inside wheel to enhance grip and ensure that all available power is transferred to the road through the wheel with greatest traction.